Parking fees at museums

Car parking charges are to be introduced at museums within the Ironbridge Gorge, it was revealed today. Managers want to install solar-powered ticket machines.They plan to put them in the car parks of Blists Hill Victorian Museum, the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron and Coalport China Museum.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust hopes the move will encourage people to leave their cars at home and use more sustainable transport, such as buses.

Museums spokesman Richard Aldred said: "Within the next six weeks we will introduce parking charges. It will be a £1 flat fee per day. The tickets will be transferable between car parks.

"The money that we raise will go back into the trust to support our educational facilities and to look at new green initiatives. We are trying to encourage people to look at other ways of getting around the site."

He said the Gorge Connect shuttle bus service offered free transport on weekends and bank holidays to museum visitors.

The trust is seeking approval from Telford & Wrekin Council to install the ticket machines and new signs in the car parks.

A report by council officers says: "The trust is looking to reduce reliance on private car. . . Through a programme of introducing charges on its car parks, the demand for parking space will be suppressed."

Officers recommend approval but are asking for financial contributions totalling £14,250 towards highways management.

Objections have been lodged against the plans, airing concerns that motorists could park in nearby side streets. Councillors will discuss the application on April 30.